MEDICARE PAY SYSTEM RESISTED

U.S. Sen. Alan Dixon (D., Ill.) is advocating a year delay in implementation of a prospective Medicare payment system that is aimed at reducing hospital costs.

At a press conference in Chicago recently, Dixon said Illinois hospitals could lose $200 million a year because the system will eventually eliminate regional cost differences in repayment formulas.

A freeze would allow time to research disparities in the reimbursement system, Dixon said, adding that the entire Illinois congressional delegation has endorsed his legislation to require a freeze.

Dixon said a reimbursement system based on national cost rates would not lower hospital costs but would force hospitals to cut what he called

''necessary expenses.''

The prospective payment system uses a fixed schedule to determine Medicare reimbursements to hospitals for 468 illnesses. It is being put into effect in phases before its final implementation in the fall of 1986.

The current interim formula takes into account regional cost differences. But Dixon said a change to national rates would hurt Illinois hospitals because their costs are above the national average.